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A class trip to the nation's capital has been a rite-of-passage for American students for generations. From middle-schoolers to high school seniors, a trip to Washington, D.C. can be a transformative experience. Students who have had the opportunity to visit important American institutions – the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House, Supreme Court, Smithsonian museums, memorials and more – have come away with a new regard for the foundations and principles of their nation's democratic processes. The last thing students need during such a trip is the discovery that they've forgotten to pack necessary items or have filled their bags with inappropriate and/or unnecessary articles.

What Kind of Trip Is It?

Factor in lots of elements before choosing what to pack. For instance: How old are the students? Is there a formal itinerary for the trip? Will older (high school age) students have any time on their own? How far will the class be traveling and by what sort of transportation? Where will the students stay while in the capital and for how long? In what season will the trip take place? Bear all these things in mind while you're packing. Make a list of what you're bringing along and double-check that you've actually packed everything before departure.

What to Wear

Dress casually, but not sloppily. Most importantly, your clothing should be clean and neat. If your school has a dress code, you will probably be asked to adhere to it. You'll need at least two pairs of pants and enough shirts/tops to allow for a change every other day. Change underwear and socks/tights every day. Girls have the added option of skirts or dresses (no plunging necklines or micro-mini-hemlines, however). If you're visiting a member of Congress or attending a special event (a concert at the Kennedy Center, for example), you'll need more formal attire.

No matter the season, come prepared with some form of outerwear. Even on warm days, the nights in DC can be cool. A light jacket will do for spring and summer, with a heavier coat plus warm hat and mittens for winter. Be prepared for anything, and bring waterproof outerwear in case of rain, including an easy-to-pack roll-up hat.

Leave your ripped jeans and low-riding pants at home. T-shirts are probably not a great idea either, except as an underlayer for shirts. In fact, make it a point to bring clothes that you can easily layer. Not only does layering help you adjust to weather conditions, it can also give you different looks from day to day. When in doubt about your clothing choices, consult with a trip chaperone.

You'll need a comfortable pair of walking shoes (sneakers might be okay, but check with chaperones first). Bring shoes that are broken in but still presentable. Do not, however, buy a special pair of shoes for the trip. No matter how great new shoes seem to fit in the store, you don't want to risk getting blisters or pinched toes as you hike from place to place on the city's sidewalks.

Necessary Items on the Way and Every Day

If you're traveling any distance on a bus or train, bring along a separate carry-on "travel bag" for items that you want to have handy, but that you don't need to have constant access to, such as toiletries, one change of clothing, snacks, sunglasses, a supply of individually packed cleansing towelettes, brush and comb, reading device or book, refillable water bottle, notebook and pen. Wear a cross-body bag or waist/belt pouch for rest stops and attractions along the way; use it for such things as your cash and cards, your cellphone, a few towelettes, a small guidebook, a mini-notebook and pen, and other small items you can't live without.

Museum gift shops are loaded with one-of-a-kind souvenirs and presents to take back home. If you're going shopping, pack a tote that folds into a tiny packet, but when opened, becomes positively roomy. Your cellphone can, of course, be used as a camera. You will want to have a bunch of pictures to memorialize your trip. But unless you're an experienced photographer, leave the fancy camera equipment at home; it takes up an awful lot of space.

How to Make the Best Use of Luggage Space

The longer the trip and the more time you spend in D.C., the more clothing you'll need. Even if the hotel where you're staying has laundry facilities, you may not feel like waiting in line to load a washer and dryer when you could be doing something a lot more entertaining. At the same time, you'll want to travel as light as possible. There may be a limit as to what each student can put in the luggage compartment of a bus or train; make sure to check with a chaperone.

In any case, make the best use of space. Don't over-pack and limit yourself to necessities. Your carry-on travel bag will already contain some of the personal-care items you'll need. You can decide whether to bring such items – for example, toothpaste and toothbrush, shampoo, body-wash, floss, shaver, deodorant, creams and lotions, prescribed medications and grooming tools – as carry-on or stored luggage. Put your toiletries in a leak-proof zip-lcok bag or something similar. Travel-size items are much easier to fit than full-size containers; either buy them ready-to-go or use small refillable containers for your own personal-care products.

Pack clothing of similar colors and fabrics to switch out to make separates do double-duty, at least for a few days. Pack wrinkle-free clothes or clothes with minimal wrinkling. Place trousers on the bottom of your suitcase; then carefully roll shirts and skirts into smooth little bundles. These bundles not only resist wrinkling, but also make better use of packing space than folded clothes. Pack underwear, sleepwear and socks into the nooks and crannies around the bundled clothing. Fit the bag of toiletries in as well, making darn sure the containers are properly sealed – taped shut if need be – and the bag itself is absolutely leak-proof.

And Bear in Mind

Metal detectors are installed in many of the buildings you'll be visiting. Life will be so much easier if you leave your Swiss Army knife at home, along with any other metal objects you usually carry around in your back pocket. Don't bring any weapons or weapon-like objects, non-prescription drugs, flammable material, or anything else that is dangerous or could be construed as dangerous. Some individual institutions have their own restrictions, forbidding liquids, food or flash cameras. So know before you go.

If you're planning to attend an event on your own, get your tickets online ahead of time and comparison-shop. Ticket prices are often more expensive if purchased through a third party rather than at the venue itself.

Make sure that your chaperone has contact information for your parents or guardian. Keep track of your stuff and respect everyone else's. Have your packing list onboard so you can check it again for the trip back. Have a worry-free adventure that you'll never forget!

About the Author

Judith Tingley is a writer, editor and multi-media artist based in Louisville, Kentucky. She studied English literature at the University of Chicago and has continued her education via classes in editing, as well as through writing workshops. The many articles she’s written for USA Today and Working Mother reflect a broad range of interests, including international travel and cultural history. She loves road trips and new adventures. Visit her website at heyjudetheobscure.com

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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